India advances plan to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets
text_fields
India has moved ahead with plans to acquire 114 new Rafale fighter jets, with the proposal gaining momentum during Indian Air Force chief Amar Preet Singh's four-day visit to France.
According to Defence Ministry sources, India has sent an official proposal to France for the purchase of the aircraft. France is expected to provide details on pricing, production capacity, and logistics support within the next two to three months, after which formal negotiations will begin. Officials believe the deal could be finalised within a year.
During his visit, Air Chief Marshal Singh is expected to meet representatives of major French defence firms, including Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jet, and MBDA, which produces Meteor and SCALP missiles. Discussions are expected to cover production in India, technical cooperation, and the integration of Indian weapons systems.
Sources also indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit France in mid-June, with the Rafale deal likely to be among the key topics of discussion. The acquisition is being pursued through a government-to-government framework.
The Indian Air Force currently operates 29 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42. The gap has widened following the retirement of older aircraft such as the MiG-21, increasing the need for new multirole fighter jets. Rafale is considered the leading contender for the requirement, with the Air Force already operating 36 aircraft of the type.
A major feature of the proposed deal is local manufacturing.
Sources said 94 of the 114 jets could be built in India, while the remaining aircraft would be supplied directly from France. The Defence Ministry is seeking around 50 per cent localisation, allowing the integration of Indian systems and weapons and supporting the government's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
India and France previously signed a deal for 36 Rafale jets in 2016, all of which have been delivered and are stationed at Ambala and Hasimara air bases.
If the new deal is completed, India would operate a total of 176 Rafale aircraft, including 26 Rafale-M jets already contracted for the Indian Navy, significantly strengthening the country's air combat capability.